Tulip events have been part of Ottawa since 1953 – a way of commemorating Canada’s role in liberating the Netherlands during WW II, and hosting members of the Dutch royal family during the same conflict.

The festival itself has seen changes and challenges, including more difficulty predicting just when tulips will be at their peak.

Here’s a summary of this year’s Ottawa-Gatineau Tulip Festival by the Ottawa Citizen’s Tom Spears. He reports that a shift in tone this year is more events that are free. Various events and activities (and all that strolling to look) are spread out across May 3-20.